2024 MLB Draft: Houston selects Cole Hertzler

Cole Hertzler is Houston’s fifth-round pick.

A 6’4″, 230 lb. right-handed pitcher from Liberty University, he is currently the No. 240 prospect on the MLB roster. Born June 21, 2003, in Reading, Pennsylvania, he transitioned from reliever to starter between 2023 and 2024.

Hertzler has a 55 changeup and 50 grades on his fastball, curveball and slider, with a 45 control grade and a 40 overall grade.

His fastball hovers around 92-93 mph, but he’s touched 95-96 mph at times, and it features solid arm-side run. His go-to secondary offering is his 80-mph changeup, thrown with a nice sink-and-fade, an offspeed offering that shines more. He has two distinct breaking balls, with both his tighter 80-mph slider and his slower 80-81 mph curve showing strikeout potential. — MLB Pipeline

As a reliever in 2023, Hertzler pitched to a 5.40 ERA in 36 innings. ²⁄₃ innings, with 51 strikeouts and a 1.500 WHIP. Moved into the rotation for 14 innings in 2024, he went 6-6 but improved his WHIP to 1.245 and his ERA to 4.16. He struck out 94 batters against 33 walks in 84 ¹⁄₃ sleeves.

Hertzler may have a bit more talent than Houston’s fourth-round pick Parker Smith. He’s expected to join Houston at one of their two Single-A affiliates, Fayetteville or Asheville, with the goal of reaching the major leagues in 2026 or 2027.